Course Section | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

This seminar focuses on the issues raised by major trials of the recent past, plus related litigation, using a mix of Court TV videotapes, media coverage (newspaper, magazine and law review), reported cases and the like. Emphasis is on strategy and tactics, as well as on what trial lawyers call jury questions. Cases used in the past have included the O.J. Simpson murder case, the Libby Zion wrongful death civil case against New York Hospital, white- collar federal prosecutions (of Arthur Andersen, based on its handling of Enron matters, of Martha Stewart, and of Frank Quattrone, for obstruction of justice in an investigation of Credit Suisse First Boston) and transnational litigation in Europe and this country. Next year's syllabus may include other, possible more recent materials. In the past we have had as guests some of the persons who participated in these cases, and we may have others this year, except where cases are still being appealed or retried. Evidence is recommended as a prerequisite but not required. There will be a final paper on a trial of your choosing, for which minor writing credit will be given. Major writing credit will also be an option.